Produced by Al Haines THE STORY OF A SUMMER; OR, JOURNAL LEAVES FROM CHAPPAQUA BY CECILIA CLEVELAND. NEW YORK: G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers. LONDON: S. LOW, SON & CO. M.DCCC.LXXIV. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by G. W. CARLETON & CO., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. To MY DEAR COUSINS, IDA AND GABRIELLE, THIS STORY OF A SUMMER IS AFFECTIONATELY Dedicated. This little volume is in no sense a work of the imagination, but a simple record of a pleasant summer's residence at Chappaqua, embracing many facts and incidents heretofore unpublished, relating to one who once occupied a large portion of the public mind. Believing that it may interest many who care to know more of that portion of his busy life which was not seen by the public, but which pertained to his home circle, the author has been persuaded to print what was written merely for the amusement of herself and friends. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Return to Chappaqua--A Walk over the Grounds--The Side-hill House--Our First Sunday at Chappaqua--Drive to Mount Kisco--A Country Church--A Dame Chatelaine--Our Domestic Surroundings CHAPTER II. Arrival of the Piano--Routine of a Day--Morning Toilettes--The Dining-room--Pictures--Ida and Gabrielle--How occupied--The Evening Mail--Musical Evening CHAPTER III. An Unexpected Visit--Morning Drives--Gabrielle's Ponies--A Repulsive Object--A Visitor--The King of Sweden's Soup--Advantages of a Royal Kitchen--Startling Experience--Ida's Letters--Strange Contents--A Lucky Stone--Request for a Melodeon--Offers of Marriage--Arrival of a Suitor--Reasons why he should marry Ida Greeley--He proves a Lunatic--He is taken before a Magistrate--He is lodged in the County Jail CHAPTER IV. A Visit from Papa--A Musical Squirrel--Letters--Croquet--Extracts from Letters--Visitors--The Loss of the _Missouri_--The True Story of Ida's Engagement CHAPTER V. Sunday in the Country--Proximity of a Meeting-house--How we pass our Sundays--The House in the Woods--Ida's Glen--Mrs. Greeley's Favorite Spring--The Children's Play-house--Gabrielle's Pets--Travelling in 1836--New York Society--Mr. Greeley's Friday Evenings--Mrs. Greeley as a Bride--Her Accomplishments--A Letter concerning Mr. Greeley's Wedding CHAPTER VI. Visitors--Our Neighbors--The Chappaqua Croquet Club--Gabrielle's Letter--A Riding Party--Summer Heat--The Music-room--Friends from the City CHAPTER VII. Midsummer Day--An Artist's Visit--Ida's Letter--Moonlight on Croton Lake--Morning Readings--Plato and Kohlrausch CHAPTER VIII. Story-telling--Mr. Greeley's Father--His Personal Appearance--His Education--A Fine Voice--Mr. Greeley's Mother--A Handsome Woman--How she is remembered in Vermont--Field Labor--Bankruptcy--A Journey to Vermont--School Days--The Boy Horace--How he entertained his Playmates--His First Ball--Separation from his Family CHAPTER IX.